Rosh Hashana 5770/2009 - Jewish Infertility

Letter from the Editor
SHAAREI TIKVAH/ FALL 2009
3
Dear Friends,
It’s that time of year again! After a refreshing dose of
summer vacation, reality pulls us back into the daily routines
of life without making allowances for our reluctance
and hesitation. Deep in the innermost resources of our
hearts, we are all feeling a slight touch of rebellion. We
might not realize that the twinges of unease are labeled
thus, and none of us would be ready to acknowledge it –
yet this is the nature of transition. Why did the summer
months pass so quickly I’ve been counting down since mid-
September to my vacation, and now it’s history! These weeks
in Elul are so…serious. Wouldn’t it be easier to remain in the
blissful arena of vacation mode
These ruminations bring to mind a much-adored childhood
classic which ridicules our foibles in a whimsical setting.
A little red chicken stands outside her hut, sweeping
the red and orange leaves into neat piles. Tiredly, she leans
her rake against the fence and wipes the sweat from her
forehead. “Oh, if only it would be winter already!” she exclaims.
“These leaves present so much hard work! I can’t
wait until the fall season passes.” The next episode depicts
our little red chicken shoveling mounds of snow and complaining
about the backbreaking labor. “Oh, if only spring
would arrive!”
Spring arrives, and the capricious chicken is noisily voicing
her displeasure at the endless weeding and planting. She
cannot wait for the summer months to make their appearance.
And what happens when summer finally visits her
land “Oh, this heat is unbearable!” the little chicken cries
petulantly. “When will the beautiful fall season arrive at my
doorstep”
We would be loath to admit our similarities to this little
red chicken, but how many times have we swallowed comments
similar to hers The deciding factor is our focus; our
attitude. Do we choose to focus on the mounds of leaves
and unbearable heat, or do we allow ourselves to notice the
snow’s pristine beauty and the breathtaking wonder of budding
blossoms
As Rabbi Spero writes so eloquently in his introduction
about the bygone year, “A year filled with tragedy and triumph,
highs and lows, heartache and joy…” This year was
a composite of numerous events, both on a personal as well
as a communal level. Our nation was inundated with shocking
revelations, tragedies and heartache. And yet, on the
other side of the scale rests a towering mountain of joy and
jubilation. How many simchos have we celebrated in the
past twelve months How many smiles have adorned our
faces as we made our way along the twists and turns How
many obstacles have been transformed into stepping stones
whilst we victoriously preserved our innate optimism and
good cheer
Consider the plight of a caterpillar encased in its protective
cocoon. Time marches on, and the caterpillar slowly
transforms into a beautiful butterfly. It beats its wings
against the walls of the cocoon, desperate to be released.
Observing its futile attempts, we might be tempted to cut
through the protective outer layer, thus allowing the young
butterfly to fly away unfettered. However, if the cocoon is
cut through too early, that beautiful creature will remain